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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Vine
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The exchange was held in the special training grounds. Not because they needed to alter the environment, but because they needed to prevent serious injuries. The stands were packed, some students even sitting on the stairs.
River and Amy, thanks to Lucia, were in the VIP lounge. “Wow, it’s crowded.”
“Everyone has the day off. Thanks, Lucia.”
“…It’s fine… I’d be… bored alone…”
A holographic projection of the arena appeared, as golems prepared the stage. Lucia was still awkward around them. It was mostly because she saw them as Atlas’ friends, not hers. She wanted to be closer to them, but she didn’t know how.
The strange atmosphere between Atlas and River bothered her. She had to ask. “…I have a question…”
“For me?” River asked.
“…Did something happen… between you and Atlas… yesterday?”
“What do you mean…? He was about to attack the Clover students, so I stopped him…?”
“…Was that… all?”
Atlas getting into fights wasn’t unusual. But… their behavior… it was different. She was about to ask more, when the Sword Saint appeared, descending from the sky.
“Hello everyone!”
The Sword Saint’s grand entrance continued. Fireworks exploded, golems played music.
“The Swordsmanship Exchange between our two Academies is about to begin! Our finest swordsmen will showcase their skills! I’m excited to see the future of swordsmanship! The goal of this exchange isn’t victory or defeat, but learning. We will learn from each other, identify our strengths and weaknesses, and improve ourselves. Also, it’s important to keep the meaning of this exchange in our hearts.
The participants will treat each other with respect. It’s not about winning or losing, but about respect and honor.
I’ve heard there’s gambling going on. I don’t care but if there are any problems after this then it’s going to be on you.
Lastly, I hope this exchange will bring our students closer. The war is over. We are all working towards the same goal. The demons are still a threat. We must unite, we must stand together. Haha, I’m rambling again… Let the Swordsmanship Exchange begin!”
The Sword Saint finished his speech and went to the VIP lounge, where the Headmaster was waiting.
“Atlas is the vanguard, right? He’s doing it for River, right?”
“He said he wasn’t participating…”
“…What are you talking about?”
“He was going to attack the Clover students because they insulted River. And he chose the exchange because he can legally beat them up… oh, it’s starting.”
The gates opened, and the two vanguards entered. Atlas had been spending a lot of time in that arena. Magic circles appeared beneath their feet, and holographic projections of them appeared above.
It was a special buff, ‘Scapegoat’. The duelists wouldn’t be injured. Homunculi would take the damage, and the results would be displayed on the holograms. The match would end when a certain amount of damage was accumulated. Even if a duelist wanted to keep fighting, they’d be forced to retire.
“That’s not his usual sword…”
Atlas usually carried a longsword, but he was wearing a shortsword. He had always used swords that were as tall as he was. He had said that smaller weapons were disadvantageous for someone his size. Why was he using a shortsword?
Then, the arena erupted in gasps. Atlas had unbuckled his sword and dropped it on the floor.
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I had thought about it. How could I humiliate them the most?
I couldn’t injure them, because of the ‘Scapegoat’ buff. So I had to… be creative.
They had insulted River. I would return the favor, with interest.
Defeating them quickly wasn’t enough. I had to make it… memorable.
How humiliating would it be, to lose to an unarmed opponent?
And not just unarmed… but using a single finger.
It was the ultimate insult. And they had reacted beautifully. His face had turned red, his eyes blazing with fury. “Pick up your sword! Even with the buff, it’ll still hurt!”
“Don’t worry about it, it’s not gonna happen.”
“I’m warning you. Pick up your sword.”
“Don’t be so serious. It’s not to bully you, you’re just that weak. This is my sword.”
“I’ll cut off that tongue!”
He charged, his Aura Blade blazing, his longsword aimed at my chest. He was fast, and his technique was solid. ‘Not bad, for a student.’
-Crack!
His sword missed. My finger, however, found its mark, piercing his chest. His holographic projection displayed a bright red mark. It was a visual representation of the damage, like in those old games. White for no damage, yellow for minor injuries, red for serious injuries. Why didn’t he understand? My finger was a weapon, capable of piercing plate armor. If it wasn’t for the buff, his body would have been pierced.
He collapsed, coughing, clutching his chest, a sharp burning pain where my finger struck.
Even though his body was okay, the pain would still be there.
“Told you I was stronger.”
“Gah… ugh…”
He couldn’t even speak.
-Winner: Academy!
The golem’s voice echoed through the silent arena.
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The next match was no different.
“Kyaaa?!”
-Winner: Academy!
Another one-hit K.O. He charged, but missed. My finger found its mark, another red mark appearing on his holographic projection. The crowd murmured. They had seen me fight before, but this… this was unbelievable. Defeating armed opponents with a single finger.
The next opponent didn’t appear. They were likely having a meeting.
“Hey! Stop it! Are you trying to cheat?!”
“Huh?”
It was the captain of the Clover Academy. “This is a swordsmanship exchange, not a hand-to-hand combat! He’s not using a sword, he should be disqualified!”
I had anticipated this. I had prepared a response.
“This is my sword.”
“That’s your finger, not a sword!”
“Is a sword only made of metal? There were swords made of stone, of bone. Are those not swords? There are swords made of ice. If you die to an ice sword, did you die to ice, or a sword? I can pierce metal. Is that not a sword?”
It might have seemed like sophistry, but it was true, I actually used my fingers as a sword, it was a handicap, not an advantage. “A sword… is anything that can cut. My fingers are made of flesh and bone…”
I picked up the shortsword and pierced the blade with my finger, a clean hole appearing in the metal. Then, I sliced through the leather belt, as if it was butter. My fingers, small and delicate, could cut through metal.
“It can pierce and cut. It’s a sword.”
The Clover captain was speechless, staring at the impossible feat.
“And… this is swordsmanship, not hand-to-hand combat.”
I had used sword techniques. They were just… adapted for my fingers.
[…We’ve reached a unanimous decision. It’s swordsmanship. The exchange will continue.]
The Headmaster’s voice boomed through the arena.
“What?! Even the Sword Saint agreed?! How?!”
The Clover captain was outraged. He had expected the Sword Saint to side with them. But… they had seen me fight. And requesting disqualification after being defeated by a single finger… it was pathetic.
“Heh… leave it to me, Senior.”
The Clover’s vice-captain stepped forward, his eyes narrowed. He had a snake-like face. “I’ve identified your weakness. This ends here!”
For a moment, I thought I sensed demonic energy. ‘Did I imagine it?’
Surely, they wouldn’t risk revealing themselves, not here, not now.
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